SUNDOWN PAPERS

UNTIL we have stopped to think about it, few of
us realize what it means to have an alphabet —
the combination of a few straight lines and curves
which form our letters. When you have learned
these, and how to arrange them into words, you
have the key that unlocks all the libraries in the
world. An assortment and arrangement of black
lines on a white surface! These lines mean noth-
ing in themselves; they are not symbols, nor pic-
tures, nor hieroglyphics, yet the mastery of them
is one of the touchstones of civilization. The prog-
ress of the race since the dawn of history, or since
the art of writing has been invented, has gone
forward with leaps and bounds. The prehistoric
races, and the barbarous races of our own times,
had and have only picture language.

The Chinese have no alphabet. It is said that
they are now accepting a phonetic alphabet. The
Chinese system of writing comprises more than
forty thousand separate symbols, each a different
word. It requires the memorizing of at least
three thousand word-signs to read and write their

complaining, however, that they often, failed to quote him when
he look real pains to help them got things straight; while they
often insisted on emphasizing sensational aspects* and even,
put words in his mouth whieh he never utlwred. But the truth
is, 'lie: vahuxj thd high-class newspapers, though regarding even
them its a two-edged word, siuco tlii'ir praiseworthy
arc -HO vitiated by craze for the sensational* — C. BJost approachable and friendly to thts reporters.nd